18 AUGUST 2017

After Romero Jr. And Tapia, Who's Next?

By Andrew Rivera: Since the retirement of former world champion Danny Romero Jr and the death of the late Johnny Tapia in 2012, many fans in New Mexico , USA have been wondering who is next to take they’re place in this generation? Two fighters with potential to rise to the next level will be on display this Saturday night at Buffalo Thunder Casino outside Santa Fe, New Mexico , popular prospects Brandon Holmes and Matthew Baca.

Holmes who is 2-0 is a rising star in his hometown of Santa Fe, having fought to sellout crowds in his two outings as the co-main event and been seeing on national TV on ESPN, most in crowd are there to see him. Although Holmes had only eight amateur fights, he has been around boxing his whole live, somewhat like Julio Caesar Chavez Jr. who was around his father and boxing his young life, but unlike Chavez Jr , Holmes trains hard and doesn’t seem to be spoiled or get out of shape.

Holmes’ father Pat, has been a trainer and promoter in New Mexico the last 14 years and is well known, with his fathers promoting Brandon is the most popular fighter up North.

"I’ve been lucky that my father has been around boxing and people know him, so this has helped me gain exposure in my hometown but eventually in time we will expand and get known everywhere." stated Holmes

The normal activity for local fighters has been to take on everyone in the region, but when it’s time to step it up they fail as the competition gets better, Holmes and his father are looking to take it a different road each fight out.

"I know and trust my father and we will get me good fights to step it up each time out?" says Holmes. "We are set to fight in March in Arizona and that will be a step up in Competition."

In this Coming Saturdays fight Holmes will take on Brandon Rios of Albuquerque. Holmes says he will be ready for anything Rios throws at him.

"I’ll dictate the fight with my hard jab, but I’ll be prepared to adjust if he does something different, I’ll box when needed and show my power as well, I’m al ready at my weight of 122. I’m just ready to fight Saturday."

Matthew Baca, promoted by Lenny Fresquez, will battle Michael Coca Gallegos who always comes to fight, although he is 1-12-1, he is a durable fighter who will fight anyone from 147-175.

Baca, 3-1-1 wants to get back on track after his last three fights going 1-1-1. Holmes took on unbeaten Yordan Hernandez in his third pro fight losing a decision. Baca was the younger and admits he wasn’t mature enough at that time.

"I was doing dumb things when I took on Hernandez, not training as hard and I was definitely not mature enough for that fight at the time, but I learned from it." says Baca

His next fight he was an overwhelming favorite to defeat Antone Martinez, although many felt Martinez won the fight, most boxing experts, myself included figured Baca would halt Martinez early, the fight ended in a draw. Baca too, was over confident.

"No disrespect to Martinez, but I should have been able to take him out early, I was overconfident and didn’t train hard. I figured I’d just blow him out and not train hard."

Baca, who like Brandon Holmes is trained by his father David, knows he has a lot to prove in this fight with Gallegos, needing a convincing win to get back to New Mexico elite.

"I have trained very hard and know I need to basically start fresh to gain the respect of my fans and team back. I know it’s my fault and I’m ready to bounce back and get back on track with a good win."

The card will headline Tony Valdez battling Jamie Gutierrez in the main event. Secondsout.com will be ringside. The fight card will also be webcast live thru Ortheous Pridcutions.